Tag Archives: LED

Today we tinker us a driver for RGB LED strips using an Arduino. In addition, we use optocouplers to separtae our Arduino from the control unit with the 3 MOSFETs, which is not absolutely essential, but brings some advantages to the circuit.

To simplify dealing with multiple RGB strips or individual RGB LEDs I have written a small RGB library. This includes functions for direct set colors in RGB or HSV color model, and animation functionality of color transitions. The library is in a beta phase, is constantly evolving, but can already be used with absolutely NO WARRANTY.

The TLC5940 is a LED driver IC, which we use today to drive 5 RGB LEDs with common anode. The advantage of this circuit is that it provides a constant adjustable output current for the LEDs and only requires minimal wiring.

Today, we build us an animated and programmable mood lamp that can be nicely used as a functional decoration. This tutorial is understood only as a suggestion, especially the design of course is always in the eye of the beholder.

Mood lamp with an Olimexino-32U4 (Arduino Leonardo compatible) and a digital RGB LED Strip (5050 LEDs with WS2811 controller) – unfortunately, the beautiful color effect is not so good to see in the photo

The presented RGB Strip is equipped compared to “normal” strips with the property of being able to control each LED individually, which means that not only one color can be displayed simultaneously on the strip, but even complete color transitions at the same time.